I have been disappointed to see so much fear mongering and hand wringing by Christians over the somewhat recent California rules, which restricts, among other things, singing and chanting in enclosed spaces, as well as larger indoor gatherings.
The concern seems to be this: Christians have an scriptural obligation to gather together in the same physical space, and to sing in sufficiently large groups, even when they know that doing so poses significant risks to their communities and will likely extend the ongoing pandemic through further outbreaks.
That's just stunning to me. Absolutely stunning.
Certainly, the Bible teaches that we owe God our worship, and that worship often takes the form of singing. We're also not supposed to "forsake the assembly" (Hebrews 10:25), and some have argued that refusing to meet in person is to do just that.
But when we love our neighbors, when we walk the extra mile, when we become the servant of all, when we love our enemies, when we lay aside our interests for the interests of others--in other words, when we worship God by offering him our bodies, our lives, as a living sacrifices--I don't think that means we insist on gathering together to "worship" when doing so comes at the direct expense of our neighbors' welfare.
Right?
But when we love our neighbors, when we walk the extra mile, when we become the servant of all, when we love our enemies, when we lay aside our interests for the interests of others--in other words, when we worship God by offering him our bodies, our lives, as a living sacrifices--I don't think that means we insist on gathering together to "worship" when doing so comes at the direct expense of our neighbors' welfare.
Right?
The kind of rigid and self-interested standard that some seem to be putting forth reminds me of the Pharisees' approach to the Sabbath. Recall that they were publicly critical of Jesus for allowing his disciples to serve those in need on the Sabbath. They appealed to a strict and rigid understanding of the Sabbath, one they had crafted over time. Of course, that understanding from a deep desire to honor God and obey his teachings. And yet, Jesus rebuked them and their rigid conception of Sabbath.
To me, this is fairly straightforward.
I appreciate my privilege to worship publicly and without opposition from the state. But I will gladly relinquish that privilege if it means preserving the welfare of and human lives in my community. I can still worship God in many other ways, up to and including the very act of relinquishing that privilege. That is because Christians are not a people who demand their "rights" at the expense of the welfare our neighbors' well being. We are a people who image our Savior to our neighbors by gladly relinquishing our privileges and rights for their benefit.
That's what's taught throughout the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Galatians 2, Romans 12, Philippians 2, Ephesians 4-5, most of James' epistle, and so forth. That is what it means to bear the likeness of our Savior, to be the body of Christ. He emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and sought forgiveness for the very murderers actively crucifying him.
Giving up what we claim to be our "rights" is far more consistent with the testimony and teachings of Jesus than petitioning the government for our "rights"--especially when we know that that doing so comes at the expense of so many others around us.
I appreciate my privilege to worship publicly and without opposition from the state. But I will gladly relinquish that privilege if it means preserving the welfare of and human lives in my community. I can still worship God in many other ways, up to and including the very act of relinquishing that privilege. That is because Christians are not a people who demand their "rights" at the expense of the welfare our neighbors' well being. We are a people who image our Savior to our neighbors by gladly relinquishing our privileges and rights for their benefit.
That's what's taught throughout the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Galatians 2, Romans 12, Philippians 2, Ephesians 4-5, most of James' epistle, and so forth. That is what it means to bear the likeness of our Savior, to be the body of Christ. He emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and sought forgiveness for the very murderers actively crucifying him.
Giving up what we claim to be our "rights" is far more consistent with the testimony and teachings of Jesus than petitioning the government for our "rights"--especially when we know that that doing so comes at the expense of so many others around us.
It seems to me like American political values have not only taught us otherwise, but have seeped into and shaped our faith. We (White American Christians) are eager to get what we are owed, what we deserve, what we want. Even if it costs the life of fellow Christians and their neighbors.
"It seems to me like American political values have not only taught us otherwise, but have seeped into and shaped our faith. We (White American Christians) are eager to get what we are owed, what we deserve, what we want. Even if it costs the life of fellow Christians and their neighbors." Sums up so much of what we've seen over the past few years (decades?) so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for connecting those dots! Thanks for this reminder: "We are a people who image our Savior to our neighbors by gladly relinquishing our privileges and rights for their benefit."
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